The Pill Submerges Me

Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill

Happy Post-Election Day America! In honor of the Election I’m going to review the latest album from Neil Young. What’s more American than Canadian Neil Young? Though Neil Young wasn’t born here he’s certainly embraced America, while fiercely protecting everything it stands for. All that aside, he’s a great rock musician and that’s really the only story behind Psychedelic Pill. This is Neil’s second release this year with his reunited backing band Crazy Horse.

What’s the reasoning behind Psychedelic Pill? Supposedly, it was spawned from jam sessions for Americana (Neil’s other album from this year). “Inspired by jam sessions” make sense when you look at some of these track lengths. Songs run anywhere from three minutes to twenty-seven minutes. It’s a “trip” to say the least, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from an album called “Psychedelic Pill”.

I’m always amazed by Neil’s seemingly endless well of rootsy rock songs. He’s one of the few veteran artists that can release just as good an album today as he did thirtysomething years ago. Nothing here is diluted by years of rock fatigue, quite the contrary. Songs like “Born in Ontario” or even the tile track would be just at home in 1969 than 2012. I don’t know if it’s due to Neil reuniting with his buddies or he’s just tapped into some good mojo. Whatever the reasoning these are some of his best songs in awhile.

What kills me about this album is the length. I like jamming us much as the next guy but unless you’re a virtuoso chances are you’ll run out of steam at the 15 minute mark. The song “Walk Like a Giant” comes to mind. I want to say it’s my favorite song on the album, but I’ve only heard the whole thing once. I don’t want to listen to the whole thing again. The first 7-8 minutes are my favorite song, the rest is just overkill. Audiences would have been even more receptive had Neil trimmed at least 30 minutes. Instead it’s a double album that I just can’t devote enough attention to. Either way, I still love Neil and love that he’s still rocking’ in the free world. Stay classy America!

Favorite Tracks: “Born in Ontario”, “She’s Always Dancing”, “Walk Like a Giant”

Capture the Viceroy

Mac Demarco – 2

At first I thought Mac Demarco looked like a douche. Well he doesn’t sound like a douche. Mac Demarco sounds sort of like Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy if he just kicked back and laid down a wall of jingly-jangly guitars. “Jingly-jangly” really is the best word you could use to sum up 2 (not surprisingly Mac Demarco’s second album). “Jazzy” or maybe even “funky” would be other good words. Demarco’s chords have that kind of funky whte-guy feel to them. It’s not quite funk, but it certainly has a swagger to it. Demarco wouldn’t be out of place accompanying some lounge singer in the corner of some smokey night club. Though I can’t deny nor confirm whether that’s actually happened.

I didn’t know anything about singer-songwriter Mac Demarco before 2 and still don’t know much about him. I can tell you he’s based in Montreal and he likes to wear hats but not much else. Fortunately, the music tells the only story I really need to know. Demarco plays a laid back style of pop driven by an echoey wall of guitars. He also makes intriguing chord choices in the span of two minute songs. It’s a guitar style that almost harkens back to George Harrison. Both integrate a lot of unconventional chords to produce a rich harmonic sound. Still, Demarco defintiely has his own sound. A sound that is a great deal jazzier and far more intoxicating than your typical singer-songwriter.

My only real gripe with this hatted-Canadian are his melodies. His voice his fine but he does’t seem to know what to do with it. The vocal melodies more or less follow the exact same mold of the guitars. Most of the time that works, but sometimes it leaves something to be desired. I could hear the instrumental versions of these songs and probably come up with the exact same thing. Fortunately, the guitar parts are so good that this isn’t much of a problem. Mac Demarco has clearly found his musical comfort zone and knows how to capitalize off of that with great songs. He also wrote a song called “Ode to Viceroy” which I can only assume is about Star Wars: Episode 1.

Favorite Tracks: “Cooking Up Something Good”, “Freaking Out the Neighborhood”, “The Stars Keep On Calling My Name”

Some Kind of Movie – Ep 2: Flight of the Mumblebees

Here’s a thing that we made. Colin and I talk about the new movie Flight, it’s director Robert Zemeckis and his return to live-action cinema, and its star Denzel Washington. Although, I should point out, if you want to avoid spoilers, skip from 11:20-17:20. Hey, listen!

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The Old Man and Mickey

In lieu of a real podcast, more thoughts on Lucasfilm being sold to Disney. Because everyone else is doing it! What? What are you doing that’s so great? Go back to eating that candy you knew wouldn’t hand out all of last night, you jerk. I’m sorry. I… I’ve got a lot on my mind. This, oh – forgive me baby! You know I love you.

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